Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem Discussion Paper July2022Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem Discussion Paper July2022

Future Geospatial
Information Ecosystem:
From SDI to SoS
and on to the Geoverse
Making the Step Change Using the
Integrated Geospatial Information Framework
July 2022
Discussion Paper
This Discussion Paper was commissioned by the UN-GGIM Secretariat, United Nations Statistics Division,
under the United Nations Development Account Project 11th Tranche Project 1819D, March-June 2022.
The UN-GGIM Secretariat acknowledges with thanks the substantive contribution of Dr. Lesley Arnold,
Geospatial Frameworks, Australia.
Foreword
Our world is in a state of continual change - being aided by rapid technological advancements
and digital transformation. While it is disruptive, the commercial geospatial industry is at the
leading edge of this change. We need to not only be a recipient of that change, we need to be
part of directing, at least the policy and governance, aspects of that change.
The United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) has an
important role in ensuring geospatial information is accessible, usable and reusable so it can be used to achieve the
sustainable development goals (SDGs) and address other global challenges.
Geospatial information provides a sound basis for understanding what is happening when, where, and why, and
how communities are being impacted. With this knowledge we can take action. However, the successful pursuit of
knowledge means overcoming many data availability and data integration issues, so we can more easily generate
new insights for purposeful decision-making.
A key role of UN-GGIM is to keep abreast of future trends and opportunities in the application and use of geospatial
technologies, and to develop the necessary global policy to facilitate change where it will be of most benefit. Through
this endeavor, the Committee of Experts has recognized the need to remain both agile and relevant as we move
beyond current geospatial management activities, and to take advantage of rapid technological developments and
innovations as we consider the future geospatial information ecosystem.
However, obtaining a clear understanding of what the future geospatial information ecosystem will look like remains
a challenge. This is not surprising given its ‘future looking’ and ‘aspirational’ nature, and with so many technological
dependencies and variables. These elements surfaced in more detail as the Integrated Geospatial Information
Framework (IGIF) was being developed by UN-GGIM from 2017-2019. Part I of the IGIF, the Overarching Strategic
Framework presents a forward-looking approach built on national needs and circumstances, to create an enabling
environment where national governments can coordinate, develop, strengthen and promote efficient and
effective use and sharing of geospatial information for policy formulation, decision-making and innovation, and to
stimulate improved understanding for national development priorities and the SDGs.
Several emerging and complementary initiatives, all connected to the IGIF philosophy, such as the Geospatial
Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) White Paper, the European Union Location Framework (EULF) Blueprint, the UN-
GGIM Future Trends reports, and the position paper Towards a Sustainable Geospatial Ecosystem Beyond SDIs,
have continued to provide valuable inputs to shaping the future geospatial information ecosystem. In addition, at
Geospatial World Forum 2022, geospatial leaders from around the world provided perspectives at a two-hour open
discussion session to explore the many dimensions and perspectives of a future ecosystem, including how it might
coexist within a larger digital ecosystem.
What has become clear from discussions, is that the geospatial landscape needs to move beyond ‘data’ as a focal
point of activity, to processing and synthesising data into contextualized information, so that it can be readily used to
gain new knowledge and insights. With the data revolution, and now with digital transformation disrupting traditional
methods of data delivery and dissemination, users have typically not understood or appreciated the value and need
for integrated geospatial information as a way to expand and improve the usefulness of their data. Such data has,
as its common element, location information. Once location (for example coordinates or a geocode) is included,
trends, relationships, geographic comparisons, predictive analytics and other important connections become evident,
especially when mapped and visualized.
The Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem: From SDI to SoS and on to the Geoverse | Discussion Paper 3
Having ‘knowledge’ as the focal point of the future geospatial information ecosystem, is crucial. The socio-economic
aspirations of many countries converge around a more sustainable and resilient future where economic prosperity
will benefit all of society and support the health and well-being of communities and individuals equitably.
These social, economic, and environmental aspirations are predicated on having the necessary knowledge to gain
a deep understanding of the local to global challenges faced, in order to tackle problems and implement proactive
policy and sustainable solutions.
This discussion paper aims to provide further contextual guidance towards an understanding of the future geospatial
information ecosystem, which goes beyond the traditional Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) processes, models
and architectures. It poses the question “SDIs are known to be delivering valuable access to data for decision-making
– so why do we need to change anything?”
The limitations of current SDIs are discussed, and the future ecosystem is described as moving towards a more
integrated ‘system-of-systems’ approach and the ‘Geoverse’ as major technological innovations that are changing the
way we understand, manage, process and use geospatial information.
The paper also describes what we mean by ‘knowledge’ and how it is created, managed, transmitted and relied upon
to address key drivers for change. These drivers are to: (1) enable unified solutions to global challenges; (2) deliver
affordable and equitable access to knowledge on-demand; and importantly (3) ensure we continue to bridge the
geospatial digital divide.
These three themes shape why we need to do things differently in the future. In this context, technology is the
enabler for change; creating opportunities to make a difference that will ultimately bring lasting progress and
sweeping transformation to address the challenges we face.
In this paper, the IGIF is used to examine the SDI construct and provide contextual guidance in the form of a step
change towards the future geospatial information ecosystem. The discussion considers the needs of countries
that are in the early stages of developing their IGIF Country-level Action Plans, as well as those that have already
successfully strengthened their SDI capabilities and have started to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
To move beyond the current paradigm to the new ecosystem, the UN-GGIM community is tasked with providing
strategic leadership, support and necessary policy decisions to drive change that will deliver the knowledge required
to address the world’s most pressing problems. Feedback on this important document, from the entire global
community, will support this process and contribute to making informed decisions. Please let us know:
• Are we moving in the right direction?
• What do you think the main challenges will be?
• What are we doing now that works well and will contribute to the future?
• What is the best thing we can achieve moving forward?
• What will be the most valuable outcome for you?
Submissions can be made via email to the UN-GGIM Secretariat (ggim@un.org) with the subject ‘Determining
the future geospatial information ecosystem’. Contributions are welcome from all interested member states,
organisations and individuals. The closing date for submissions is 31 October 2022.
We look forward to your contribution.
UN-GGIM Secretariat
July 2022
4 The Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem: From SDI to SoS and on to the Geoverse | Discussion Paper
Contents
Foreword 2
Introduction 6
Purpose 7
Why do we need to move beyond SDIs? 8
The Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem 10
What do we mean by Knowledge? 13
What are the Drivers for Change? 15
Driver 1: Unified Solutions to Global Challenges 15
Driver 2: Affordable and Equitable Access to Knowledge On-demand 16
Driver 3: Bridge the Geospatial Digital Divide 16
Making the Step Change 17
Governance and Institutions 18
Policy and legal 21
Financial 24
Data 27
Innovation 30
Standards 33
Partnerships 36
Capacity and Education 39
Communication and Engagement 42
Conclusion 44
References 45
Terms 48
Call for Submissions 50
Introduction
The UN-GGIM Committee of Experts has an important role in transitioning beyond current
Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) to address global challenges using geospatial information.
Part of this transition involves making joint decisions and These articulate several aspects in common, all of which
setting direction on the production and use of geospatial recognize that:
information within national, regional and global policy
• Our future digital world will be increasingly
frameworks. This includes:
interconnected through flows of information,
• defining what constitutes the future geospatial resources, goods and services, people and ideas;
information ecosystem; and
• The ‘single’ direction supply of data and services is
• guidance on using the IGIF to make the step change no longer the end point. The future ecosystem
required to achieve a paradigm shift. must take direction out of the equation to locate,
integrate and process disparate and diverse data;
Leaders in the global geospatial community from
government, academia, not-for-profit and the private • The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is bringing
sector, recognize the need for more enhanced geospatial unprecedented advances in technologies that
information management capacities and capabilities. are providing the geospatial community with
We are also seeing a growing interest for integrated the capabilities to address major challenges and
ecosystems thinking and knowledge inferencing within opportunities (GW, 2021);
the geospatial community and UN-GGIM. The objective is
• The ecosystem must deliver the location-based
to enable better informed and ultimately more effective
knowledge, services and automation expected
policies to address the Sustainable Development Goals
by economies, societies and citizens in the 4IR age
(SDGs) and global agendas (Scott, 2017), and national
(GW, 2021);
and local development priorities.
• The transition beyond SDIs will be characterized by
However, there is currently no formal agreement, at
a shift from data to new insights, knowledge and
a global decision-making level, on what the future
understanding (CRCSI, 2017);
geospatial information ecosystem will look like. The
complexity of, and thus the need for considering, • The future ecosystem will be self-organized around
the future geospatial information ecosystem, has the demand for geospatial information, technologies
been reiterated by the background paper Towards a and services (EUROGI, 2021) that will deliver solutions
Sustainable Geospatial Ecosystem Beyond SDIs provided to to global problems that cannot be addressed on a
the eleventh session of UN-GGIM. country-by-country basis;
In addition, UN-GGIM at its eleventh session, emphasized • The interdependence between the digital (machine)
that the future geospatial information ecosystem will world and human world will be total (EUROGI, 2021) –
need to be understood, together with the importance of requiring a new workforce ready, skills development
maintaining the impact and continuity of the IGIF, and framework;
operationalized through Country-level Action Plans. • Enhanced governance, business models, policies,
Conversations on the future geospatial information processes and partnerships are needed to empower
ecosystem are well underway, and there is now users, keep people safe and secure, and break
a growing body of work envisioning a global through the participation barrier so that no person is
interconnected geospatial information ecosystem in left behind; and
which everyone can interact to gain knowledge (EUROGI, • The future ecosystem provides a momentous
2021; GW, 2021; CRCSI, 2017). Several forward-looking opportunity to raise awareness of the importance
vision statements and documents have been developed. and significance of geospatial information, unify
terminology, cement the geospatial brand globally,
and launch geospatial as a career choice.
Purpose
This discussion paper aims to provide contextual guidance towards an understanding of the
future geospatial information ecosystem, which goes beyond the traditional Spatial Data
Infrastructure (SDI) processes, models and architectures.
The paper develops high-level conceptual guidance using • What we mean by ‘knowledge’: Clarifies how
the IGIF as a practical starting point for countries, as knowledge is created, managed, transmitted and
they embark on a path towards digital transformation. trusted in a digital context, drawing on theoretical
Using the IGIF means that countries can readily maintain and practical understandings.
the impact and continuity of change through their IGIF
• The drivers for change: The pressures that are
Country-level Action Plans
shaping the geospatial sector and the imperatives
The paper is structured as follows and is intended to that help us to understand ‘what’ type of change we
promote thinking and discussion on: are dealing with.
• Why we need to move ‘Beyond SDIs’: SDIs are known • Making the step change: Discusses the nine strategic
to be delivering valuable access to data for decision- pathways of the IGIF and how these overarching
making – so why do we need to change anything? concepts provide guidance for making incremental
change towards the future geospatial information
• The Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem:
ecosystem. This includes countries that are in the
Describes the ‘system-of-systems’ approach and the
early stages of developing their SDIs, as well as those
‘Geoverse’ as major technological innovations that are
that have already successfully implemented SDI
changing the way we understand, manage and use
capabilities.
geospatial information.
Why do we need to
move beyond SDIs?
There is a vast amount of literature highlighting the value of SDIs in making significant
amounts of data accessible for decision-making and policy setting; and social, economic and
environmental benefits are accruing on a local to global scale. So why change?
The earliest intent of SDIs has now moved beyond data within these catalogues, and as a consequence, Artificial
as the endpoint (UN, 2012; EUROGI, 2021; GW, 2021). Intelligence (AI), Big Data geoanalytics, knowledge
SDIs were largely made possible by the creation of the inferencing and IoT communication interfaces are not
Internet and World Wide Web (Web), which enabled being used to their full potential.
digital content to be shared as html web pages.
In addition, SDIs are not user friendly. SDIs are designed
As the web evolved, so too did our SDIs. Government to ‘push’ data out with little regard for demand and user
data warehouses were developed making it possible requirements, and the many questions users have of
for agencies to share their data; data catalogues were data (UN, 2012; Arnold, 2018; EUROGI, 2021). In addition,
created to provide a window for people to search, SDIs are geared towards professional users that have
acquire, use and repurpose data many times over; web the skills to download, process and analyze geospatial
portals arose to provide the means to view data layers data in order to obtain the knowledge needed to make
in an integrated way; and data and software services good decisions. They do not cater for general users
evolved to support the development of applications and and consumers, with limited skills and knowledge to
data analytics. interpret data.
However, while we have seen many developments, we Moreover, the analytical processes required to extract
are currently unable to leverage all that advanced 4IR knowledge from data are time consuming. The delay
technologies have to offer, particularly the Internet of between question and answer is not adequate for a
Things (IoT), which is providing new ways to collect and society where access to knowledge on-demand has
process data, and create and transmit new knowledge become the expectation, if not the norm. Easy access
and insights. The main problem is that SDIs are designed to data, is no longer the prime objective of society.
as ‘human accessible’ libraries that are not machine Monolithic applications, such as Airbnb, Uber and Spotify
friendly. Search engines find it difficult to locate data have created an on-demand revolution. Even content
streaming is now tailored to individuals’ preferences by Where do we locate the new hospital?.... Which areas should
referencing and learning from past choices (Arnold et al, be declared fire risk zones?.... How likely will flood waters
2019). reach my location?.... What are the main concerns of my
constituents?... Should we insure this property?... Is this
This level of automation has increased the appetite of
land suitable for a market garden?... and so on. All require
consumers for more on-demand functionality that is not
geospatial data to be accessed, processed, analyzed and
achievable with SDIs today (Arnold et al, 2019). According
translated ‘on the fly’ into an individualized setting to
to Winton (2019) “Nowadays, people expect the Apps
answer these types of questions knowledgeably (Arnold,
they use each day to just work. And the users who
2018).
depend on them aren’t content to wait minutes, hours,
or days until a resolution is found.” It is clear that a paradigm shift from ‘human-actionable’
SDIs is required if we are to achieve an ecosystem
The momentum behind the ‘beyond SDI’ movement
characterized by real time knowledge for ‘everyday’
is the realization that ‘an ever-ready plethora of
decision-making and problem solving (Arnold et al, 2019;
geospatial data, ready to answer individuals’ questions
GW, 2021).
in real time,’ is not achievable with the current human-
readable SDI paradigm. This is evidenced by the limited In this new future, access to geospatial data will be
number of applications sophisticated enough to allow essential, but not enough. Our data also needs to
for processing random, unpredictable, and context be understandable, integratable and actionable by
dependent queries; where filters on location, culture, machines using networks, powerful tools, automated
environmental conditions, religion, and individual geoanalytics (GW, 2021) and multimodal digital network
preferences etc., are required to differentiate and communications. The SDI bi-directional data supply
personalize answers. network is not able to deliver the level of sophistication
necessary to deliver knowledge on-demand.
The Future Geospatial
Information Ecosystem
Before describing the future geospatial information ecosystem, it is important to clarify that SDIs are an
important first step in the evolutionary process. For those countries working towards establishing their
SDI; the work being done continues to be valuable and crucial to strengthening geospatial information
management and enabling progress towards the future ecosystem.
In essence, the SDI comes first. This is because, in For clarification, these concepts, as they pertain to
addition to delivering access to data, SDIs also establish this paper, are explained below, and their relationships
data governance frameworks, enact geospatial policy illustrated in Figures 1 and 2:
and laws, and implement technology and standards
• SDI: Recognizing that SDIs have various
(Scott, 2022); all of which are the foundation for the step
implementations, this paper describes the SDI as a
change required to move to an ecosystem centered on
server-based geoportal for organizing, visualizing
delivering knowledge.
and making geospatial data and services available
Importantly, the evolution of our geospatial information and consumable. SDI geospatial data is accessible via
ecosystem is occurring in parallel with advancements to the web, typically using one-to-one communications,
the Internet and its transitionary phase from interactive similarly to other information, applications and services.
bi-directional data transactions (circa Web 2.01) to a These characteristics belong to the realm of Web 2.0
decentralized multimodal digital environment (Circa technologies.
Web 3.0 and beyond) that is able to process and curate
• System-of-systems (SoS): Are referred to here as
information in real time.
a collection of systems that consume geospatial
From a technology perspective, the future geospatial information from SDI data catalogues or from other
information ecosystem will consist of three concepts - sources available on the web. Each system is capable
the traditional SDI; a network of systems referred to as of independent operation, but also interoperates with
a ‘system-of-systems’; and a third element, which has other systems to achieve additional capabilities.
until now not been named, and which is referred to here
Smart cities, intelligent transport systems, driverless
and going forward as the ‘Geoverse’. All three concepts
systems and dashboards that consume data from
co-exist in the future geospatial information ecosystem
several databases or registries, are examples of the
– potentially manifesting into the Geoverse in the longer
SoS approach. These systems are constructed and
term (Figure 3).
operated by people, but also include connections to
machine generated data, such as IoT sensors and
other data processed on the edge in real time2. SoS
participate in a Web 2.0 environment, as well as
applying more advanced Web 3.0 technologies.
1
The line between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0+ is converging as data, systems and applications take on characteristics of both. Web 2.0 (also referred to as the Social Web)
is epitomized by dynamic web pages and user generated content; Web 3.0 (also referred to as the Semantic Web) is characterized by a decentralized web of data (global
database) and sophisticated interaction between devices and users.
2
Edge Computing – data that is processed at its source, such as a sensor, without needing to be processed by high-end servers where lag or latency can occur.
• Geoverse: Refers to an aspirational globally leading to sustainable development from a position
interconnected geospatial information ecosystem of knowledge, wisdom and insight.
- one that permits intelligent interactions between
The transition from SDI to the Geoverse will not happen
SDI web portals, systems, sensors, applications,
overnight. In the short term, it is anticipated that the
devices and other things; using a broad range of
future geospatial information ecosystem will include
communication interfaces and machine facilitated
SDIs, SoS and elements of the aspirational Geoverse.
technologies such as AI, Machine Learning (ML),
This is illustrated in Figure 3, from a digital interaction
Natural Language Processing (NLP), data mining,
perspective. In this trajectory of evolution, SDIs will
virtual assistants, digital identities, blockchain etc.
continue to participate in both SoS and the Geoverse, as
The Geoverse is envisaged as a super-set of the a persistent source of data supporting new capabilities
Metaverse that extends the notion of a 3D virtual
3
including new ways to create and deliver knowledge.
society to include 4D visualizations, predictive
Importantly, technology will not be the only element
analytics and real time knowledge in all its forms, as
that needs to evolve. The governance and people
well as a wide range of integrated and interoperable
aspects of our geospatial information ecosystem also
data from across various sectors and disciplines.
need to keep pace with, and be an enabler for, change.
Like the web, the Geoverse belongs to everyone; it is The IGIF provides the strategic pathway guidance to
non-proprietary and not controlled by a single enable this step change to occur. This is important.
organization . The name is used to convey the use of
4
If we are to achieve a more advanced ecosystem, the way
geospatial technologies in combination with the web we govern, manage, structure, develop new skills and
as a medium for positive change. The notion being integrate geospatial information, must evolve holistically
“to better integrate and understand the complex to take advantage of 4IR technologies, including
relationships between people, place and planet” - enhancements already available through the IoT.
Global Digital Global Digital

Ecosystem Ecosystem
SoS
Geoverse Geoverse
SDI
Metaverse Metaverse
Figure 1. The geoverse is a subset of the global digital Figure 2. The SDI is a source of data for the geoverse,
ecosystem, and participates in the metaverse. SoS and metaverse. SoS participate in the global digital
ecosystem, geoverse and metaverse.
3
Metaverse - In its current meaning, the Metaverse refers to integrated virtual 3D worlds (OGC, 2022; Merriam Webster, 2021) where people can socialize,
collaborate, learn, and play (Torres, 2022)
4
This was the intent when Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web (Berners-Lee and Fischetti, 1999).
Figure 3. The future geospatial information ecosystem comprising SDIs, SoS and the Geoverse.
What do we mean
by Knowledge?
The rationale for the paradigm shift from ‘data to knowledge’ is at the core of the transition to
the future geospatial information ecosystem. But what do we mean by knowledge?
The term ‘knowledge’ has different connotations, data to create synthesized information, which in turn
depending on the discipline and philosophy of thought, results in the creation of new knowledge, and the cycle
or simply the way it is used in a sentence. For clarity, repeats. Traditionally, computer algorithms based on
knowledge within the context of the geospatial pre-determined inputs, rules (algorithms) and outputs,
information ecosystem refers to our ability to gain an have undertaken this task. However, they are not
accurate or deep intuitive understanding of something suited to knowledge on-demand ‘question and answer’
that leads to insight and wisdom. type scenarios. The system/algorithm knows no more
Our deep understanding of a subject emerges by than the coder. Consequently, random, unpredictable
passing through four qualitative steps: (1) Data - Facts and context dependent queries, and those requiring
and figures without context for a specific question; individualized filters, are difficult to code.
(2) Information - Data that is filtered and analyzed so
This is where AI has made a huge leap forward and
that it is applicable to a specific question; (3) Knowledge
opens significant opportunities for the geospatial
– Information put into context to answer a specific
sector to move beyond the SDI paradigm. AI has made
question; and (4) Wisdom – the ability and confidence to
automating knowledge creation a reality. It still requires
act on knowledge (Figure 4).
an element of explicit knowledge e.g., rules and training
Two types of knowledge are discussed – tacit and explicit data; but now deep learning models (a branch of AI)
knowledge. People acquire ‘tacit’ knowledge by asking are able to learn on their own, and we are seeing
and receiving answers, or simply through learning sophisticated results in image interpretation.
experiences – reading (books, graphs, maps, charts,
In addition, knowledge graphs are being used to infer
tables etc.), learning to ride a bike (actions), sharing
relationships and meaning between separate pieces of
stories (verbal communications) etc. Tacit knowledge
data, and machine learning is used to improve natural
often relates to things we know, but don’t know how we
language processors used in virtual assistant technology.
know. Essentially, it’s knowledge that we embed into our
For instance, Google uses AI and knowledge graphs to
memory. On the other hand, explicit knowledge is that
organize information, anticipate needs and define the
which can be imparted to others, as well as codified to
right context to deliver personalized responses.
guide and control machines.
These knowledge graphs continually extract meaning
With geospatial processes, knowledge is embedded into from a growing web of ‘searched words’5 and their
rules and procedures, machines can process and filter associations (IBM, 2021).
5
Here, ‘searched’ words refers to those sought through search engines and questions posed to virtual assistants.
Wisdom refers to having the confidence to be able to New knowledge-based services will evolve to operate via
act on knowledge and potentially draw new insights a range of commands (voice, touch, keyboard)
from the experience. The value of knowledge in the and devices; and be delivered through an array of
context of the user, necessitates an understanding of machine-accessible, integrated and multi-dimensional
“to what degree a person (or business) values the knowledge geospatial data, and conveyed virtually and in real time
they receive”. To a large extent, the value of knowledge through a combination of visualizations, audio and
is dependent on how much a person believes the haptic technologies.
information to be true, and this requires new ways to
This is a paradigm shift from single direction, supplier
communicate the trustworthiness of data and thus the
driven SDI data networks and traditional data analytics
knowledge derived (Arnold, 2018).
and services created for a general market. In contrast,
Our ability to directly obtain new insights from vast the knowledge on-demand paradigm focuses on specific
amounts of data, will become a reality when the future knowledge, created by machine-actionable data and
geospatial information ecosystem is able to provide automated analytics driven by, and in response to,
real time access to knowledge that has been processed the questions of individuals. Importantly, the accuracy
and contextualized for the individual and denoted as of answers, and therefore the trustworthiness of
trustworthy; be it insights into the relationship between knowledge services, will have an interdependency with
Knowledge – the aspirational goal

complex phenomena, the likelihood of an event, or
simply navigating to a location.
the accuracy and timeliness of the source data.
Able to act on
JUDGEMENT
• Wisdom knowledge
Able to put information

Knowledge in context to answer a
N
specific question
COGNITION
TIO
AN
ES
S
QU
WE
Data that is filtered

R
and analysed so that it

Information is applicable to a
specific question.
PROCESSING
Facts and figures

Data without context for a
specific question.
Figure 4. From data to information, knowledge and wisdom. Adapted from DIKW Model for knowledge management
and data value extraction. Positioning geospatial information to address global c
What are the Drivers
for Change?
There are multiple reasons why countries need to enhance the way geospatial information is
managed and used. Much of the discussion in recent literature focuses on delivering knowledge
value with technology serving as an enabler for change; creating opportunities to make a
difference that will ultimately bring lasting progress and sweeping transformation to address
the challenges faced.
Understanding our challenges provides us with context Geospatial innovation is needed to better connect the
to know what needs to change. From a national and world and enable positive change to happen. Everything
global perspective, the drivers for change are recognized around us is interconnected in some way, and local
under three main themes that (Figure 5): decisions can have an impact on humankind at a global
level. If we are to better understand interrelated social,
a. deliver unified solutions to global challenges;
economic and environment issues, we need to be able to
b. meet society’s growing demand for equitable and harness geospatial intelligence on a local to global scale.
affordable access to knowledge on-demand; and
Global issues cannot be solved by one country or a few
importantly,
countries in isolation, nor can they be solved by
c. bridge the ever-widening geospatial digital divide government alone. No single government agency or
between developed and developing countries. country has all the answers to global challenges;
These three themes shape why we need to do things nor the knowledge to address emerging issues before
differently in the future. Each theme requires a new they become a problem.
technical capability, supported by good governance and Often, it is not until information from across many
policy, beyond the constructs of current SDIs. countries, and in some cases all countries, is integrated
that new patterns, trends, and insights come to light.
Driver 1: Unified Solutions to
Being able to visualize this new knowledge in the
Global Challenges
‘geospatial sense’, and model multiple future scenarios,
There is an urgent need to use geospatial information will help us to find new ways to address what are often
to tackle the world’s most complex humanitarian long-term and interconnected development challenges.
and sustainable development challenges, address
However, current SDI data production and consumption
climate change, respond promptly to global pandemics,
systems, make it difficult to address challenges in
and reduce the consequences of natural disasters and
common. Geospatial solutions have become fragmented
their impacts on our land and oceans (EUROGI, 2021).
and slow to implement because national SDIs are
Solutions to these challenges6 have significant benefits to
typically disconnected from the global context. Our future
all countries. What occurs in one part of the world has a
geospatial information ecosystem must be able to
ripple effect to others.
respond in a timelier and more integrated manner and
6
Global Challenges – poverty alleviation, climate change, sea level rise, food security, gender equality, resource depletion, overconsumption, biodiversity loss,
renewable energy production, and mass migration etc.
be able to make use of global data resources in a safe interaction will grow (Anderson et al, 2021). However,
and secure way – so that all countries benefit. there are also those who currently have limited access
to digital tools and training, and any advancement will
Driver 2: Affordable and Equitable Access to widen the gap between the ‘haves and have-nots’.
Knowledge On-demand
As we move beyond SDIs, it will be important to ensure
Society’s perception of ‘easy access to data’ has changed the future geospatial information ecosystem is able to
and the bar has been raised significantly (EUROGI, 2021). evolve with a priority on ‘putting’ developing countries
The emphasis has shifted to knowledge-based products at the center of everything we do. This means exploiting
and services (GW, 2021). new technologies and incentivizing partnerships in
While, SDIs have played an important role in creating a way that fosters the sharing of new capabilities
and sharing geospatial data; this is a far cry from and increasing digital literacy and innovation, so that
democratized access to knowledge, where end users everyone benefits.
want answers to complex and urgent questions in real Now is the time to reconfigure and enhance our
time. Data is no longer the end point. Rather it is the geospatial information ecosystem, in all areas of the nine
start point. Societal expectations have changed and our strategic pathways of the IGIF, so that outcomes lead to
user community is now seeking knowledge in the form improved quality of life for all. One way to achieve this
of processed information. We have entered the is for the ecosystem to deliver ‘access to knowledge’ in
‘on-demand era’ where people want personalized, a way that is available to everyone – a strength being its
reliable and real time answers, and not simply links to universality in access and use.
information that they need to sort through (CRCSI, 2017).
The fixed line technologies, organized around the

Drivers for Change
demand for geospatial information, that characterize
current SDIs, are not able to deliver this ‘on-demand’
future. SDIs prevail as the domain of ‘professional users’ Equitable
• Unified solutions to
(Mongus, 2020) and the privileged few that can afford to
and Affordable
Access to
pay for global problems
exclusive services. However, SDIs have failed to Knowledge
On-demand
• Equitable
deliver knowledge uniformly
accessto the
towider population.
Driverknowledge on-demand
3: Bridge the Geospatial Digital Divide
• Bridge
Addressing the geospatial
the widening wealth and digital divide
Drivers for
Change
between digital
developeddivide
and developing countries, men and Unified
Solutions
women, and ocean-bordering and landlocked countries, to Global Bridge the
Problems Geospatial
is a priority driver for change (UN, 2017). This comes with Digital Divide
the need for some serious policy changes.
There is a broad and almost universal view that people’s

relationship with technology will deepen and their
reliance on digital connections for work, education,
health care, commercial transactions and social Figure 5: Drivers forPositioning
Changegeospatial information to address global challenges
Making the Step Change
The IGIF was designed to provide guidance for countries to strengthen their national geospatial
information management arrangements. We are now seeing many countries adopting the
IGIF into their geospatial transformation strategies, and in doing so, they are making a change
for the better.
As we transition towards a future geospatial information the new future. The nine strategic pathways are
ecosystem, we will need a plan to guide the step change organized in response to three principle areas of
needed – so all countries can participate equally in influence: governance, technology, and people, and
the transition. The IGIF can be used to develop this are: (1) Governance and Institutions; (2) Policy and
evolutionary plan, and the advancements needed in all Legal; (3) Financial; (4) Data; (5) Innovation; (6) Standards;
of the nine strategic pathways. (7) Partnerships; (8) Capacity and Education; (9)
Communication and Engagement (Figure 6).
The IGIF was designed with constancy and flexibility
in mind. In terms of constancy, the IGIF provides a Planning for change, is a significant milestone in the
consistent basis for strategizing, analyzing and creating evolving use of the IGIF. While it is impossible to know
action plans for strengthening geospatial information how the future will unfold; we can map out the future
management. In terms of flexibility, the IGIF recognizes geospatial information ecosystem as it appears at the
that countries have unique starting points, and as such, present, and adjust using the IGIF strategic pathways,
action plans can be designed for different circumstances. as new possibilities arise.
Indeed, at its eleventh session in August 2021, UN-GGIM
emphasized the importance of maintaining the impact
and continuity of the IGIF, as well as acknowledging Governance Policy
Governance and and Financial
the need to maintain flexibility to cater for variability
Institutions Legal
in national circumstances and conditions, particularly
between developed and developing countries.
In the following sections, each strategic pathway of the Technology Data Innovation Standards
IGIF is discussed in terms of its four key elements, the
three ‘drivers for change’ and the step change needed
to transform geospatial information management Capacity Communication
People Partnerships and and
arrangements to realize an ecosystem that meets future Engagement
Education
needs.
The IGIF strategic pathways provide a 360-degree view

of the capacities and capabilities needed to strengthen Figure 6: The nine strategic pathways of the IGIF influenced
geospatial information management to participate in by governance, technology and people
Governance and Institutions
This strategic pathway guides the leadership, governance model, institutional arrangements
and future value proposition needed to strengthen multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral
participation to address the drivers for change
Addressing sustainable development challenges and globally interconnected
societal demands for knowledge on-demand, calls geospatial information Governance Leadership
Model
for new leadership styles, governance models and ecosystem, and manage
institutional arrangements; and the recognition that we the plethora of diverse
need to deliver a new value proposition so we can solve data and ensure its ethical
our most pressing social, economic and environmental use.” Institutional Value
Arrangements Proposition
challenges - leaving no one behind.
New data governance
As geospatial leaders, we have an excellent starting and digital knowledge
platform to grow national digital economies and open management strategies will be required (GW, 2021)
doors for new partnerships. The web, global SoS, mass if the future geospatial information ecosystem is to
social media, IoT and global ‘commercial’ geospatial evolve, thrive and remain sustainable and equitable.
platforms have given rise to more information being The question is, “how will these new governance tools
accessible to more countries and citizens, than ever be brought to bear in such a complex collaboration
before. environment?”
However, these same technologies have also created It is becoming clearer that a common ‘Global Geospatial
corresponding leadership challenges, particularly around Knowledge Governance Framework’ is required to guide
“how to make sense of multimodal data flows in a how data is to be created, managed and processed to
democratize knowledge in the interest of individuals’ development challenges. They also provide guidance to
needs, good governance, developmental interests, and formulate the delivery of national strategies and plans,
humanitarian and global crisis management. and promote the creation of knowledge to solve national
sustainable development challenges.
Strong and informed leadership will be crucial. As is the
case with an ‘ecosystem’ itself, complex problems require SDI governance models are typically nationally focused,
the integration of diverse information (physical, social, hierarchical and government led. Future governance
economic and biological) drawn from local to global models will need to be more inclusive of the broader
sources and from across a multitude of government, stakeholder group (private sector, academia, open-
business, open source and academic contributors. source community, policy makers, community groups
and beneficiaries) - to open doors to partnerships and
In a globally interconnected ecosystem, the international
broaden the scope of policy solutions, increase capacities
geospatial community will need to work cooperatively
for information sharing and learning, and to advance
towards a shared vision. Overcoming sustainable
policy changes.
development challenges will require global leadership
in contributing to the digital commons, setting universal The rapidly evolving technological landscape means
data governance, policy frameworks and clear digital that future global data governance needs to be an agile
knowledge management strategies. A failure to find non-hierarchical array of organizations; encompassing
some level of consensus may serve to speed up the not just the public sector, but also the, private, non-
widening digital divide between wealthy and developing profit, academic and community sectors. These multi-
countries. actor governance configurations will need to be able to
coalesce with traditional hierarchical SDI governance
Global geospatial strategies and initiatives are the
models, and expand participation and diversity of views
vehicle to lead collective action on priority sustainable
by including a broader spectrum of stakeholders.
Governance and Institutions
Strategic Pathway Elements Spatial Data Infrastructures Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem
Leadership Strategies and plans on geospatial Global interconnectivity to leverage

data management knowledge creation opportunities
Institutional Traditional hierarchical SDI Agile non-hierarchical inclusive

Arrangements governance arrangements multi-actor governance configurations
Value Proposition Access to fundamental data Affordable and equitable access

to knowledge
Global Geospatial Knowledge

Governance Model SDI data governance models Governance Framework
Figure 7. Governance and Institutions Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges
In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a
new geospatial information ecosystem,
governance arrangements will need to shift in
This will require governance mechanisms that:
focus (Figure 7):
• Operate and draw expertise from all levels of
• Leadership: From strategies and plans on
governance – local, state, transnational, international
geospatial data management; to global
and private sector governance - to engage in
interconnectivity to leverage knowledge
discourse and form collaborative efforts to achieve
creation opportunities.
the expected outcomes of the SDGs (and other
agreed agendas). • Institutional Arrangements: From traditional
hierarchical SDI governance structures; to
• Support engagement with multidisciplinary
agile non-hierarchical inclusive multi-actor
professions and end users across all sectors
governance configurations.
(health, transport, agriculture, planning and so on)
to promote the creation of more integrative data • Value Proposition: From access to
to support state-of-the-art geoanalytics to deliver fundamental data; to affordable and
knowledge on-demand. equitable access to knowledge.
• Achieve innovation diversity by reaching out to • Governance Model: From SDI data
the underrepresented (race, ethnicity, gender, age, governance models; to align with the
socio-economic status, religious belief, political views, Global Geospatial Knowledge Governance
disabilities or other end points) for their unique Framework.
perspectives and skills.
A focus on the democratization of knowledge, as

opposed to focusing on data access, is the new value
proposition. Equitable and affordable access to accurate
knowledge, and solutions to the most complex of
world problems, can only be delivered through a new
approach to geospatial data governance and knowledge
management. This will require systematic change
and new thinking, attitudes and behaviors, particularly
if we are to leverage local to global insights to better
understand what was, what is and what could be.
Policy and legal
This strategic pathway guides the development of a policy and legal framework that will deliver
the necessary data and geoanalytics to achieve a knowledge-focused geospatial information
ecosystem to address the drivers for change.
As we move to a globally interconnected geospatial The overriding issue
information ecosystem where accurate and unbiased will be how to protect Legislation Policies, Norms
and Guides
knowledge is the end point; the basis of our geospatial people and safeguard
policies will need to shift towards knowledge creation, fair markets in a globally
governance, security, ownership, responsible use connected world, Data
Governance Protection,
and trustworthiness. These concepts contrast with while also enabling and Licensing
conventional SDI policy and legal frameworks that focus innovation to prosper Accountability and Sharing
on geospatial data – its creation, management, and and businesses to thrive.
accessibility. Today, everything can
be wirelessly interconnected and customized by simply
In addition to ‘Open Data’ polices and data sharing, we
adding lines of software code. While this is heading in
will need increased focus on sharing geoanalytics and
the right direction, in terms of the democratization of
knowledge inferencing capabilities. In this way, new
knowledge, it can be dangerous when new applications
levels of machine-generated content will be realized as
are relied on in critical settings and do not meet the
part of the burgeoning knowledge economy stimulated
necessary standards of guaranteeing respected rights,
by the new ecosystem. As a consequence, existing SDI
privacy, security and the protection of the vulnerable.
policies and laws will be pressure-tested, potentially
creating new legal, regulatory and technical issues that Technological advancements are putting pressure
need to be addressed, as the new ecosystem evolves on governments to be more effective in protecting
and scales. individuals’ privacy, intellectual property and sensitive
7
Integrity – communicating data provenance, quality, and any potential bias in geoanalytics.
information. Policy development typically lags behind and knowledge. This means developing on-the-fly
technological innovation. We have seen this with methods, such as to de-identify data and prevent re-
emergent ubiquitous sensors, remote-controlled identification.
drones, self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI),
Automation is already occurring. Blockchain technology
biometric monitoring, surveillance technology and facial-
is now providing a secure ledger to resolve issues of
recognition software. These mass accumulation devices
security, scalability and privacy in the healthcare and
can cause cybersecurity or privacy risks and more policy
land sectors; Digital Rights Management (DRM) allows
problems than they solve.
publishers to control what users can do with their works
Nonetheless, we now have the opportunity and potential through encryption; application code is used to deliver
to overcome these same issues by looking for solutions role-based access control; and digital identity programs
within these technologies themselves. This requires a are enabling people to simply and securely establish a
shift in thinking. Most SDI policies and laws are currently digital identity and safely reuse that identity to transact
geared towards data that is human-accessible, readable with government and the private sector – with their
and reusable, such as data sharing, end user licenses, privacy assured (Wyatt et al, nd).
copyright and intellectual property – all of which are
However, work is still required to provide accountability
managed and administrated by people.
for how data is reused. For instance, DRM needs to
In the future, data creation and geoanalytics will be be integrated into geospatial concepts. Data itself will
performed automatically by machines without the need need to be self-describing so that machines know
for human intervention. We therefore need machines what they can and cannot do. Columns and rows of
to be able to simplify, execute and enforce policy sensitive data need to be encrypted so they are only
accountability in areas such as privacy, cybersecurity, accessible to machines with the right access code, and
Policy and Legal

information bias, and the ethical use of data, information fail safes are needed to prevent re-identification when
National policy and legal frameworks Global guidance for national policy and
Legislation legal frameworks for the democratization
for the democratization of data
of knowledge
Standalone geospatial policies and Geospatial policies and laws interoperable

Policies, Norms and
laws for data management, access with wider government digital policy and
Guides
and use. global knowledge management agendas
Governance and Use of technology to enforce geospatial

A reliance on humans to comply knowledge management and use, as well
Accountability with geospatial data policies and laws as internet compliance
Open data policy balanced with Knowledge creation and the ethical
Data Protection,
protection of sensitive material and challenges of information bias, digital
Licensing and Sharing
respected rights identities, usage and cybersafety
Figure 8. Policy and Legal Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

data is reconstituted, integrated and/or linked to other In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
publicly available data, such as social data, where it geospatial information ecosystem, national
may impinge on privacy. Standards for self-describing policy and legal frameworks will see a shift in
interrelations of data will be needed to complement focus (Figure 8):
new policy requirements. Whilst, data protection
• Legislation: From national policy and legal
legislation is growing, particularly relating to privacy;
frameworks that typically focus on the
policy initiatives are nationally-based implementations
democratization of data; to establishing
and inconsistencies in approach will have a detrimental
global guidance for national policy and legal
impact on global interconnectivity. This calls for a
frameworks for the democratization of
global geospatial policy and legal framework to provide
knowledge.
guidance and promote uniformity in policy application
across all countries. • Policy, Norms and Guides: From standalone
geospatial policies and laws for data
Importantly, global policy guidance means that all
management, access and use; to establishing
countries have access to the same information – leaving
geospatial policies and laws that are
no one behind. This includes human readable policy, and
interoperable with wider government digital
importantly, machine-actionable policy implementations.
policy and global knowledge management
The challenge of a Global Geospatial Policy and Legal agendas.
Framework is that it will need to deliver quadruple
• Governance and Accountability:
impact to:
From a reliance on humans to comply with
a. stimulate technical innovation including growing geospatial data policies and laws; to using
the range of analytics, IoT devices and automation of technology to enforce geospatial knowledge
use cases; management and use, as well as internet
compliance.
b. achieve democratization of knowledge (openness);
• Data Protection, Licensing and Sharing:
c. provide public confidence in how information is used
From open data policy balanced with the
and protected; and
protection of sensitive material and respected
d. communicate ‘knowledge’ reliability and integrity7 rights; to additionally include knowledge
to end users. creation, and the ethical challenges of
In addition, a Global Geospatial Policy and Legal information bias, digital identities, usage and
Framework will need to be horizontally and vertically cybersafety.
scalable to accommodate regional, national and local
needs, as well as wider government digital policy.
It will also need to be adoptable by the private sector,
open-source community and not-for-profits, academia
and other suppliers and end users, in addition to
government.
Financial
This strategic pathway provides guidance on the business models and financial partnerships
that will characterize the future geospatial information ecosystem and address the change
drivers for change.
Investments in SDIs are typically framed in terms of a with Internet strangers
business case for a project or program of work that and commit funds Business Opportunities
Model
targets a specific problem. The implementation of a (Kremenova and Gajdos,
solution, bought at a cost, subsequently delivers financial 2019). To illustrate,
and social benefits – both tangible and intangible. This is imagine government (an
Benefits
the traditional provider/purchaser business model. actor) releasing content, Investment
Realization
such as demographic
SDIs were built during the wave of web 2.0 business
statistics, to a company(s)
models and support private sector revenue generation;
in exchange for tokens to
where online content (e.g., digitization of newspapers),
access different content, such as imagery. No money is
marketplaces (Amazon and eBay), Software as a Service
exchanged as such, each actor has something that the
(SaaS) (e.g., B2B businesses), sharing (gig) economy
other values. For government to participate in these new
(e.g., Uber, Airbnb), and advertising (e.g., Google and
business models, data needs to be of value to business
Facebook) have launched the world’s most valuable
(i.e., machine friendly and easily consumed) to support
companies and showcased their innovative use of
on-selling value added commercial services as cheaply as
geospatial information.
possible in return for tokens.
Business models are constantly evolving. With advanced
By and large, organizations find it difficult to attract
Internet technologies, such as blockchain, we are starting
geospatial investment, and trying to explain a new
to see secure trusted decentralized networks based
‘knowledge’ value proposition to policy makers will
on the exchange of tokens as a safe way to collaborate
be an additional hurdle, particularly for lower income market, and helping to transition capability and capacity
countries. There are however, new business model to capitalize on new opportunities. These include
opportunities in the future ecosystem that provide a (Yee, 2020):
systematic structured and end-to-end process that are
• Crowd economy business model, where people
suited to developing economies.
participate in a shared platform typically towards
These models require a new approach to financing innovation and problem-solving. This is sometimes
through partnerships, and the ability to exploit online referred to as staff-on-demand, which is a break from
technologies that focus on knowledge and people and traditional organizational structures, and offers a new
the creation of new value propositions. For this to occur, way to attract and retain skillsets. These business
the future ecosystem needs to be formed in a way models are particularly suited to geospatial content
that leverages existing business models, as well as providers. They offer new ways for consumers
exploiting advancing technologies to create new to become part of a company’s ‘content tribe’,
business models; ones that favor developing countries by providing mechanisms to incentivize ‘content’
where funds, resources, skills and knowledge are contributions. Essentially, this turns consumption into
transactable. a two-way street.
The private sector is key to driving this change, • Data/free economy business models where
particularly companies that provide global data services. companies offer free maps/data and services e.g.,
However, the challenge for many developing countries navigation and search tools, in exchange for being
will be the lack of funds to get a foothold into 4IR able to monetize users’ information and preferences.
technologies, knowledge services, and Earth Observation This is essentially a ‘bait and hook’ model that is not
(EO) data vaults. New innovative private sector business for everyone, but the advantages often outweigh
models are now spawning new ideas, disrupting the the negatives.
Financial
Decentralized autonomous
Traditional bi-directional
Business Model business models enabled by advanced
Purchaser/Provider Models
internet technologies
Creation of geospatial data to support Creation of geospatial analytics to

Opportunities the delivery of new products and support knowledge on-demand
services
Investment in machine-readable data, AI,

Investment in geospatial data and
Investment blockchain etc. enabling participation in
interfaces for SDI programs and projects
global digital connectivity
Economic development and New revenue and cost savings

Benefits Realization societal benefits derived from from tokenized multimodal business
geospatial products and services opportunities
Figure 9. Financial Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
• The smart economy business models that utilize
geospatial information ecosystem, financial
artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, 5G, Big Data, and
arrangements will see a shift in focus (Figure 9):
IoT to create newer and smarter products from data,
which form a new addition to revenue streams. • Business Model: From traditional
bi-directional purchaser/provider models; to
• Freemium models where users have free access to
decentralized autonomous business models
data, software and limited services, with the option to
enabled by advanced Internet technologies.
pay for high quality/unlimited data access, software
upgrades, value-added services and Apps. • Opportunities: From the creation of
geospatial data to support the delivery of
• The closed-loop business models, often referred
new products and services; to the creation
to as the circular economy, are inherently suited
of geospatial analytics to support knowledge
to the geospatial adage ‘create once – use many
on-demand.
times’, which gives rise to environmentally-
conscious consumers. Traffic Apps use density • Investment: From investment in geospatial
and road incident data from anonymized data data and interfaces for SDI programs and
from people using the Apps and crowdsourced projects; to investment in machine-readable
data from motorized and other transport users. data, AI, blockchain and other advanced
This information is sent to other App users. With technologies enabling participation in global
‘knowledge on-demand’ services, there is potential digital connectivity.
for more reuse and repurposing of data, generating
• Benefits Realization: From economic
production efficiency and positive society-wide
development and societal benefits derived
benefits.
from geospatial products and services; to
• Decentralized autonomous business models, new revenue and cost savings from tokenized
refers to tokenized networks in which a financial or multimodal business opportunities.
non-financial transaction record and self-enforcing
program rules are maintained on a blockchain.
This approach eliminates having to involve third-party
entities in a transaction, which in turn, decreases cost
and simplifies bureaucracy.
• Geopolitical asset sharing, in contrast to traditional

donor funding models, focuses on sharing specific
knowledge and knowhow typically as a way to
strengthen relationships between countries, but
more often as part of a program of international
collaboration. As an example, the Australian
Geoscience Data Cube was intentionally developed
using open-source technology and is now a
global analysis platform freely available to other
governments to adapt and implement their own
versions (GW, 2017).
Data
This strategic pathway establishes a geospatial data framework and custodianship
guidelines for best practice collection and management of integrated geospatial information
that is appropriate to ensure cross sector and multidisciplinary collaboration.
SDIs have characteristically given priority to providing geoanalytics, and the
Custodianship,
access to fundamental data themes that underpin policies and standards Data
Acquisition and
Themes
and provide a common reference for a wide-range of needed to transform data Management
applications. Establishing this data framework is a logical inputs into knowledge
first step. Fundamental data has significant reuse value, outputs. Targeted use
Data Supply Data
and being able to repurpose this information many cases allow us to develop Curation
Chains
times, makes sound economic sense. road maps that consider and Delivery
digitalization9 priorities
As we move from data to knowledge, the urgent
in relation to the most
questions we have of data have become the priority.
important questions we need answered.
National and global sustainable development agendas
identify these important questions, but not necessarily These ‘use case’ road maps will often lead to the
the quality of data (completeness, coverage, accuracy, development of integrated SoS to deliver a specific
and currency) and the geoprocesses needed to function/service, such as Smart Cities to manage city
solve these challenges. The future calls for ‘use case assets, resources and services. They will also be used to
frameworks’8, which list the steps for how a use case is address societal problems from a local to global
carried out. level within the Geoverse through communication
interfaces. For instance, understanding sea level rise at a
National use case frameworks identify, prioritize
national level requires local tide gauge information,
and specify data collection, quality improvements,
Use Case Frameworks – refer to a specification that describes how a goal is to be accomplished.
8
Digitalization – referring to the adaption of systems, data and processes to enable operation by computers and the Internet.
9
dam capacities, ocean currents, glacial melt and water in an ecosystem that uses mainstream web approaches
temperature etc., as well as the processes that integrate, to interconnect data in real time.
analyze and provide visualizations of interpreted
Digitalization is intrinsic to 4IR technologies; generating
information. Processes are repeatable, and local
huge amounts of data to address the critical challenges
information can be scaled and pieced together to give
we face. Big Data includes concentrations of data
a better understanding of global sea level rise (Cassidy,
generated by mobile phone users, social media and IoT
2020); its interrelationship with global climate change,
sensors. These sources of data characterize the web
and inferred future impacts e.g., risk to infrastructure,
of data today, but they are not easily integrated and
livelihoods and biodiversity.
analyzed with fundamental geospatial data held in an
A global use case framework is needed to provide
SDI catalog. This will change once SDI data catalogues
guidance to countries establishing their national use
are exposed to the web; to become one of many
case frameworks. The SDGs Geospatial Road Map
‘multimodal’ communication interfaces.
(UN-GGIM, 2022) provides excellent support for road
map development, particularly from the perspective of To enable this capability, human readable SDI
‘data readiness’. Further direction on specific use case catalogues, will need to be augmented by machine
designs from a ‘knowledge on-demand’ perspective, discoverable interfaces, potentially using a broker and a
are required. These use case designs specify data machine-readable metadata catalog (Ivanova et al, 2020)
quality, step-by-step geoprocessing and rules to support to manage interactions between a user application,
automation, policies needed to provide protections10, from within the Geoverse, and the geospatial resources
and interoperability standards that enable participation available in the SDI catalog.
Data
National use case frameworks

National data frameworks focusing on
Data Themes contributing to priority challenges
fundamental geospatial data themes
on a local to global scale
Custodianship,
Geospatial data to support the Linked data and geoanalytics that
Acquisition and
delivery of new products and services enable knowledge on-demand
Management
Automated real time knowledge

Data Curation and Manual value-added data delivered
delivered via AI and machine accessible
Delivery via data catalogues
data registries
Data Supply Chains Centralised bi-directional supply Decentralised multimodal

chains communication interfaces
Figure 10. Data Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

10
Protection is used here in an all-encompassing way - individual privacy, cybersecurity, safety, ethical use, misleading bias etc.
Machine-actionable data and geoprocesses for specific In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a
use cases are an enabler for ‘knowledge on-demand’, as new geospatial information ecosystem, data
well as for knowledge inferencing to better understand management will see a shift in focus (Figure 10):
and solve sustainable development challenges. • Data Themes: From National data
Increasingly machines are autonomously undertaking frameworks focusing on fundamental
geospatial data processing and applying sophisticated geospatial data themes; to National use
geoanalytics, leading to an increasing number of cases case frameworks contributing to priority
where algorithms make final action-orientated decisions challenges on a local to global scale.
(EUROGI, 2021).
• Custodianship, Acquisition and
This digitalization approach supports developing Management:
countries, as process automation and machine-readable From geospatial data to support the delivery
data and methodologies are inherently shareable. of products and services; to Linked data and
The all important first step, is for custodians to transition geoanalytics that enable knowledge on-
data to a machine-readable format and according to demand.
FAIR data principles. Access to machine-readable data
11
• Data Creation and Delivery: From
will stimulate innovation and creativity. The conversion
manual value-added data delivered via
process requires little technical overhead; with data catalogues; to automated real time
mainstream web Application Programming Interfaces knowledge delivered via AI and machine
(APIs) able to be converted to machine-readable Linked accessible data registries.
Data12 using JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data
• Data Supply Chains: From centralized bi-
(JSON-LD)13, schema.org, OpenAPI, etc., (Atkinson,
directional supply chains; to decentralized
2020). Ordnance Survey UK and Ireland have pioneered
multimodal communication interfaces.
the process - exposing large geospatial resources via
machine accessible data registries and a Linked Open
Data interface (Ivanova et al, 2019). The second step is to
environment. These semantic data models are key to
ensure machine-readable data is findable. This requires
supporting and empowering decision making – be they a
each resource, ideally down to the feature level, to have
model of a fundamental data theme or a more complex
a globally persistent identifier14 (Parsons, 2020).
digital twin. Semantic models provide the meaningful
The globalization of ‘knowledge on-demand’ will require interoperability needed to enable a sophisticated chain
semantic data models and data vocabularies that of geoprocesses to be coded for particular use cases;
provide relationships between objects to enable the and once encoded, they can be shared, reused and
integration of data about people, business and the repurposed.
11
FAIR data principles – Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable https://www.go-fair.org/fair-principles/
12
Linked Data – structured data that is interlinked with other data, such that it can be read by semantic queries.
13
JSON-LD JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data https://json-ld.org/
14
Identifiers – data is structured and tagged in a way that it can be read directly by machines.
Innovation
This strategic pathway recognizes that innovation has the potential to stimulate, trigger
and respond to rapid change, leapfrog outdated technologies and processes, and bridge the
geospatial digital divide.
As we move toward a future geospatial information desktop verification of
ecosystem, the challenge will be “how to inspire road assets etc., (Biljecki Technological Process
Advances Improvement
productivity improvement and innovation, and deliver and Ito, 2021); vehicle
change without exacerbating the already growing GPS are used to rapidly
geospatial digital divide”. capture road centerlines
Innovation Bridging the
(Arman and Tampere, and
A pre-requisite to establishing an SDI is to digitally Digital
2020); and mobile Apps Creativity Divide
transform hardcopy geospatial assets and modernize
are being used to digitize
data sharing processes – an aspirational objective for
fit-for-purpose land
many developing countries, and the tipping point for
boundaries (GIM, 2015).
leapfrogging to a future ecosystem.
Having appropriately formatted data will be crucial to
Data digitization15 leapfrog opportunities exist. We have
participating in the Geoverse. It is touted that artificial
progressed beyond flatbed scanning, line scanning
intelligence will provide a major leap in knowledge and
and heads-up digitizing. Machine learning is enabling
capability for mankind to progress in ways that were
powerful feature extraction capabilities that are cutting
once only imaginable (Thomas, 2022). However, the
data acquisition times16; drones are providing ‘just-in-
difficulty for developing countries is that AI is a learning
time’ aerial coverage, street view imagery is enabling
15
Digitization here refers to the process of converting graphical information into a digital format.
16
A wide range of geospatial machine learning research papers are available at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/geospatial-machine-learning/
publications/
technology and needs digital data from the past and As we seek to narrow the geospatial digital divide moving
present to predict the future, and all its variables. forward, it is time to go a step further and start sharing
workflows, algorithms and codes that enable the vast
Leapfrog opportunities to ‘knowledge on-demand’ is
quantities of SDI data to be converted into purpose-
difficult to predict, as we are not there yet. However,
driven information (Belgui, 2020). Sharing geoanalytics
it is clear that 4IR technologies, Internet communication
capabilities will grow the potential for ‘knowledge
interfaces, process automation, semantic web tools,
creation’ globally, and in doing so, deliver digital equity
AI and global digital connectivity will all be a part of our
to communities that would not otherwise have access to
future.
this knowledge. Simply put, the availability of automated
As in the past, the most advanced countries will likely workflows will enable us to leverage current SDIs by
provide the knowledge, support and lessons learned so transforming them from merely data pools to participate
that others can follow. We can already see this process in a data analysis ecosystem serving various societal
happening with the growing number and nature of needs (Belgui, 2020).
geospatial digital twins in urban planning, livestock
Automation of knowledge will be a major disruptor
monitoring (Geopard, nd), crop growth (Pylianidis, 2020),
over the next 10 years. Higher levels of spatio-temporal
manufacturing, healthcare, construction and retail etc.,
resolution and massively increased processing power,
(Dilmegani, 2022). These digital twins are increasingly
and machine-readable data are expected to play an
employing sophisticated models, often incorporating
increasingly dominant role in knowledge creation.
AI and machine learning for ‘what if’ queries that test
However, without suitable geoanalytics, data cannot be
real world scenarios in a virtual environment. Similarly,
put to good use (EUROGI, 2021). There is now growing
the number and nature of SoS is expected to grow;
pressure to automate domain knowledge activities, such
with systems progressively moving from fixed line
as the creation of knowledge representation models and
communication interfaces to interconnect with the web
Innovation
rule formulation to enable user queries to be processed
of data and ecosystem of geoanalytics.
meaningfully.
4IR technologies, Internet, geoanalytics,

Technological Digitization and diversification of data
semantic tools, sensor networks, AI and
Advances sources, and cloud computing
edge computing
Innovation and Business innovation: data, products Social innovation: knowledge on-demand
Creativity and services and ethical human-centered design.
Digital transformation, increased Enriched knowledge economies,

Process
productivity and improved data quality responsive communications and
Improvement
enhanced reliability of knowledge
Knowledge sharing that delivers

Bridging the Digital G2G relationships that deliver
inclusivity and digital equity for
Divide hardware, software and knowhow
communities
Figure 11. Innovation Strategic Pathway – the Step Change
Geoanalytics need to evolve to enable a shift in focus
In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
from data to services that enable knowledge creation
geospatial information ecosystem, innovation
– the new value proposition. These geoanalytics are
will shift in focus (Figure 11):
expected to embrace fully matured semantic and
AI reasoning technologies to become autonomous, • Technological Advances: From the
proactive, content-exploring, self-learning, collaborative digitization and diversification of data
and content-generating. Understanding the meaning of sources, and cloud computing; to 4IR
what people (end users) are doing and need, and not technologies, Internet, geoanalytics,
just providing links to web pages, will require developers, semantic tools, sensor networks, AI and edge
singularly or in collaboration, to use self-descriptions, computing.
digital identities or similar preferencing techniques to • Innovation and creativity: From business
deliver future context-aware programs that are relevant innovation focused on data, products and
to the user. In addition, edge computing, where analytics services; to social innovation focused on
are brought closer to the source of data, will also play knowledge on-demand and ethical human-
a significant role, particularly where real time decision- centered design.
making is required.
• Process Improvement: From digital
In this new world, ethics must play an important and transformation, increased productivity and
active role in guiding human-centered approaches improved data quality; to enriched knowledge
to technology development. Examples might be services economies, responsive communications
interacting with sensors and implants, natural-language and enhanced reliability of knowledge.
services, and social virtual reality services.
• Bridging the Digital Divide:
It will be important for the geospatial community to
From Government to Government (G2G)
take ownership of the tools available to us as creators
relationships that deliver hardware, software
of knowledge and users of technology. The global digital
and knowhow; to knowledge-sharing
infrastructure, including positioning systems, space, the
that delivers inclusivity and digital equity for
Internet, mobile and fixed digital networks, cloud and
communities.
service platforms, APIs, automated systems, analytics
and applications, IoT and user devices (EUROGI, 2021) –
all influence how geospatial technologies develop
into the future. While all elements, alone or together,
contribute to greater economic benefits, social well-
being and environmental management (EUROGI, 2021),
it will be up to the geospatial community to guide the
innovation trajectory with a social conscience.
Standards
This strategic pathway establishes and ensures the adoption of standards, best practices and
compliance mechanisms for enabling data and technology interoperability to deliver integrated
geospatial information and create location-based knowledge.
Voluntary consensus standards17 are one of the most This is where knowledge
Standards Technology and
successful initiatives of the SDI paradigm. Geospatial representation methods Data
Governance
data and technology interoperability has succeeded, come in. Knowledge and Policy Interoperability
to a situation where geospatial data from different representation methods

domains, collected at different times, at different scales, (such as vocabularies and
Compliance
and potentially in different formats can be easily and ontologies) are used to Community of Testing and
Practice Certifications
seamlessly integrated, reused and repurposed (EUROGI, create knowledge graphs18
2020). Standards for SoS engineering also exist, and (or networks between
these are generating operational efficiencies when objects, events, situations
considered at the outset of any system design. and/or concepts) that illustrate the relationship between
real-world entities (IBM, 2021)
Consensus-based open standards will play an even more
crucial role as we head towards the Geoverse. Geospatial However, standard models for knowledge
data on the web requires that the relationships between representation are yet to be developed for many
data, and the meaning of objects within data, be domains of knowledge. They do however exist.
accessible. A machine does not know what to do with A good example of mature foundational knowledge
data on the web if there is no associated intelligence. representation (ontology19) models are NASA’s
17
Voluntary consensus standards referred to here are developed by OGC – Open Geospatial Consortium, ISO – International Organization for Standardization
and IHO –International Hydrographic Organization
18
A knowledge graph is a structured Knowledge Base, that stores facts in the form of relations between different entities/objects. It was popularized by Google
in 2012, where it is used to enhance search engine results.
19
An ontology, like a data vocabulary, is a method used to represent knowledge.
Semantic Web for Earth and Environment Technology Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) is expressed in
(SWEET) ontologies that have become a pseudo standard its principles, which are designed to (ARDC, nd):
for scientists in the Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Support knowledge discovery and innovation both
(DiGiuseppe et al, 2014).
by humans and machines;
Standardization of knowledge representation models will
• Support data and knowledge integration;
be important moving forward; the primary aim of which,
is to share a common understanding of the structure • Promote sharing and reuse of data;
of data among users and software agents. Standards • Be applied across multiple disciplines; and
will mitigate semantic interoperability issues down the
• Help data and metadata to be ‘machine-readable’,
track. There are significant benefits to reusing standard
supporting new discoveries through the harvest and
knowledge representation models. Currently, locating
analysis of multiple datasets and outputs.
knowledge repositories is ad hoc, and compliance is a
cultural change issue. It may take time before reuse of Machine-readable data is one of the pillars for
‘real world knowledge representation models’ become knowledge on-demand. Publishing guidelines for
the accepted norm (Arnold et al, 2019). machine-readable data are articulated in the 5-star
Open Linked Data Scheme, as a standard for publishing
The adoption of FAIR data principles by custodians will
data on the web (Holborn, 2014). However, standards
be integral to optimizing the use of geospatial data in the
are still required to communicate the quality and
future geospatial information ecosystem - SDIs, SoS and
reliability of interpreted information, which is pivotal to
the Geoverse. The importance of FAIR data (Findable,
understanding the trustworthiness of knowledge
(Peng et al, 2021; Peng et al, 2022).
Standards
A commitment to assess, A commitment to adopt standard

Standards Governance
establish, and maintain a common models for knowledge representation
and Policy
standards framework
Anticipatory regulations, FAIR data

Technology and Data Voluntary standards for data and human-centered standards for
Interoperability and technology knowledge creation
Regular assessments, training, Regulatory sandboxes, proof of

Compliance Testing
government mandates, performance concepts and incentives for deploying
and Certification
metrics, testing and certification and scaling 4IR technologies
Inclusive and participatory roles in

Community of Sharing and leveraging data and
data vocabularies, digital twins, and
Practice technology standards
other 4IR standards development
Figure 12. Standards Strategic Pathway – the Step Change
Standards will need to evolve as we transition forward. In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
It is anticipated that open geoprocessing and analytics geospatial information ecosystem, standards will
tools will be created at a rapid rate, potentially creating see a shift in focus (Figure 12):
personalized or niche market ready outputs. These tools
• Standards Governance and Policy:
will ideally, be developed in a standards framework
From a commitment to assess, establish, and
managed by the global community, and potentially
maintain a common standards framework; to
through a creative commons licensing framework
a pledge to create a responsible knowledge
(Mohamed-Ghouse, 2020) to encourage the sharing and
representation standards framework.
reuse of code, as is currently done with data.
• Technology and Data Interoperability:
Moreover, machine-human interfaces will increasingly
From voluntary standards for data and
be articulated through voice and visual query commands
technology; to anticipatory regulations, FAIR
rather than just through tapping on keyboards or
data and human-centered standards for
swiping screens. How geospatial concepts, questions,
knowledge creation.
statements, hand and eye gestures, and local dialects will
be interpreted and managed will become an important • Compliance Testing and Certification:
area within which standards and protocols will be From regular assessments, training,
required (EUROGI, 2022). government mandates, performance metrics,

testing and certification; to regulatory
The standards community has a huge role ahead in
sandboxes, proof of concepts and incentives
leading and incentivizing the use of standards for
for deploying and scaling 4IR technologies.
deploying and scaling 4IR technologies. Open standards
will be an underpinning element. However, the pace • Community of Practice: From sharing and
of technological change is likely to outstrip standards leveraging data and technology standards;
development, with de facto standards playing an early to an inclusive and participatory role in data
role in innovation (OGC, 2022). New rules of engagement vocabularies, digital twins, and other 4IR
and standards will be necessary to help manage growth standards development.
and change, particularly with the development of new

systems and applications.
Regulatory sandboxes will be important to standards

development. Take drone delivery service as an example.
Who will manage delivery box IDs and their ownership;
oversee installation and relocation; what will be the
standards for drone speed, height and quotas; and how
will you know if the delivery box is empty? Geospatial
standards and human-centered design will be integral to
applications that depend on location-based technologies
and how consumers want to use this technology.
Partnerships
This strategic pathway establishes cross-sector and interdisciplinary cooperation, coordination
and collaboration with all levels of government, the geospatial industry20, private sector,
academia, and the international community, with the objective to deliver on the drivers for
change.
Partnerships are essential to achieving the future We are currently at
Cross-sector
Private Sector
geospatial information ecosystem and creating value a juncture between and
and Academia
Interdisciplinary
for those who participate. The knowledge-value of traditional partnership Cooperation
Collaboration
geospatial data is amplified when it is combined, models and new models
contrasted and analysed with other datasets (GW, 2020). enabled through the
The partnerships and collaborations established today, decentralization of the Community International
Participation Collaboration
will be a crucial starting point for transitioning to the web. While the web is
new future. still evolving in terms of
partnership potential, the
Today’s digital networks enable more holistic and
notion of a Geoverse as a decentralized network, lends
inclusive partnerships to evolve; empowering
itself to promoting partnership opportunities through
governments to widen their partnership network to
peer-to-peer networks in which the entire community of
include cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaborators,
users can participate. This concept is different from
and partnerships with the private sector and academia.
the centralized network, where communication is largely
These partnerships underpin the success of SoS and
via a cloud of physical servers, owned and operated
research challenges. Data sharing and coordination
by a few large corporations that act as third-party
strategies between organizations maximise system
providers.
integration and value activities within the supply chain.
20
In some countries and regions, Africa in particular, the term ‘geospatial industry’ is an inclusive term that captures the entire geospatial sector as a
‘geospatial discipline’.
With decentralized peer-to-peer protocols now a viable through decentralized autonomous business models.
option, direct partnership channels can be established While it is difficult to know how these new models
for data, technology, resource, knowledge and process will evolve in the long term, it is likely that payment
sharing etc; creating opportunities for a wider range of tokens, enabled by blockchain technology, will provide
partnerships to materialise and providing new horizons a new way for the private sector to do business with
for ‘knowledge’ innovation. These collaborative and government.
creative partnerships are likely to have a profound effect
Global resource sharing partnerships will take on a new
on the way users interact with geospatial information in
level of importance as countries move to implementing
the future to gain knowledge and new insights.
more integrated systems and adopting the decentralized
However, we are yet to realise the full potential of web as a new way to innovate. For example, sharing
a decentralized multimodal network for generating geospatial information ‘economic studies’ will be key
geospatial intelligence; where AI, geoanalytics and to helping countries plan geospatial investments and
blockchain deliver a new era in decision-making abilities. forecast returns on investment. A simple benefits
There is much work for the geospatial community to transfer21 can make cost-benefit analysis more accessible
do, to put into practice the geospatial data, processes, for policy makers in developing countries, by reducing
standards, policies, governance and technologies the cost and time involved in producing an assessment
needed to deliver knowledge on-demand to every citizen from scratch.
– leaving no one behind.
It is expected that the Open Source Community will be a
Traditionally, partnerships have been led by government, major partner and contributor to the high-performance
with public-private-partnerships being a regulated area. collaborative development environments needed to
Partnerships
As we move to the new ecosystem, we are likely to see a realise the full potential of the Geoverse. For decades,
reversal, with the private sector instigating partnerships OpenStreetMap, Open Source Geospatial Foundation,
Cross Sector and Investment, data and New horizons for innovation and
Interdisciplinary Cooperation resource sharing knowledge creation
Private Sector and Government led regulated Private and academia sector led
Academia Collaboration public-private-partnerships decentralized collaborations
Use of VGI and crowdsourcing to Citizen sensing technologies that lead to

Community Participation
collect local information new innovations and problem solving
Strategic partnerships that support Collaborations that support both

International Collaboration
national initiatives and agendas national and global innovations
Figure 13. Partnerships Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

21
The benefits transfer method is used to estimate economic values for geospatial information and services by transferring available information
Positioning geospatial from
information to existing
address global challenges
studies already completed in another location and/or context
GitHub and many others have contributed to the In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
development of geospatial data and software for the geospatial information ecosystem, partnerships
benefit of many and, in particular, developing countries. will see a shift in focus (Figure 13):
With the rise of collaborative consumption, sharing • Cross Sector and Interdisciplinary
platforms, sensor technologies and wearable sensing Cooperation: From investment, knowledge
devices, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) and resource sharing; to new horizons in
is expected to become far more sophisticated. Body innovation and knowledge creation.
sensors, mobile GPS and self-driving vehicles can collect
• Private Sector and Academia Collaboration:
and filter data at rapid rates. With the right protections
From government led regulated public-private
and validation processes in place, it is likely that citizen
partnerships; to private and academia sector
sensors will become much more prominent than they
led decentralized collaborations.
are today. Citizen-derived data is expected to grow
considerably and be used in increasingly diverse ways • Community Participation: From the use
(Antoniou et al, 2017). of VGI and crowdsourcing to collect local

information; to citizen sensing technologies
At present, it is unclear if the technology to enable
that lead to new innovations and problem
new partnership models with come first, or if
solving.
partnerships will need to be established first to drive the
implementation of collaborative technologies and enable • International Collaboration: From strategic
them to thrive. What we do know, is that knowledge is partnerships that support national initiatives
born through collaboration, and inactivity will not help us and agendas; to collaborations that support
to achieve our goals. both national and global innovations.
Capacity and Education
This strategic pathway establishes enduring capacity development and education programs
so that the value and benefits of integrated geospatial information management is sustained
for the longer term.
This paper has raised new concepts and methods. Whilst technologies; guidelines
it is tempting to leave some out for readability; they for education curricula; Awareness
Formal
Education
serve to illustrate the importance of the capacity and targeted and prioritized
education pathway. Geospatial scientists are entering an areas for professional
era where geography, cartography, art and computing development programs;
science are merging to a point where geographical and strategies to promote Professional
Entrepreneurship
Training
study, the artistic rendering of the Earth, and innovative entrepreneurship and
computing is expanding our sphere of study and awareness raising
creating a juncture where the fields of learning collide in generally.
the creation of knowledge.
How to tackle the education of undergraduates is one of
A new ‘workforce ready’ skills development framework our first challenges. The approach needs to deliver deep
is required to understand capacity development needs subject expertise in surveying, geospatial, geography
going forward. Ideally, this should be championed at and geodesy, but also generalist understanding and
the global leadership level, providing guidance to both competency across diverse application domains within
developed and developing countries, alike. the broader IT domain (EUROGI, 2021). A more formal
The framework needs to consider the future paradigm, education in the fundamentals of computer science
the foundational concepts in computing and 4IR will be needed, particularly in how to set up machines
to do geospatial tasks, and how to teach machines to be crucial. Capacity development plans will need to
teach other machines how to undertake tasks, which combine a range of awareness raising methods to target,
have a significant geospatial component (EUROGI, engage and be inclusive of candidates from diverse
2021). University courses will need to extend GIS-specific backgrounds, age groups, cultures, values, abilities and
subjects to include broader geoanalytical education; knowledge.
bringing geospatial knowledge, AI, data science, sensor
Current messaging is focused on the power of geospatial
technologies, software development and business
information for social, economic and environmental
information systems together in differing degrees (GW,
benefit. This messaging needs to continue as it aligns
2021, EULF, nd).
with many peoples’ values. However, we also need to
In addition, given the need to develop and broaden attract imaginative and creative people; this means
interdisciplinary partnerships, it makes sense to embed showcasing how a career in geospatial leads to their
geospatial concepts into other disciplines – much involvement in disruptive innovations that make good
like mathematics and English is done today (EUROGI, things happen.
2021). This will lead to cross pollination of task-oriented
The same approach applies to encouraging more
analytics for specific use cases; enriching ways to
entrepreneurs in the ‘knowledge creation’ space.
generate new knowledge and stimulate innovation
Entrepreneurs will need professional development
opportunities.
opportunities that provide intensive training in new and
Organizations need talented geospatial scientists to emerging paradigms, as well as an agile development
create digital twins, deliver location intelligence, conduct environment that provides flexibility and fosters
data integrations etc.; but there is massive demand creativity, which are pivotal to growth in interconnected
for these skills across the tech industry (GW, 2011) and products, value chains, business models and ultimately
this will have an impact on how fast we move forward. knowledge on-demand applications and services.
Capacity and Education
Attracting new talent to the geospatial industry will
Advocacy and promotion on the value Education and outreach on the

Awareness potential of disruptive innovations
of geospatial information
using integrated data
Deep subject expertise in surveying, Foundational concepts in computer

Formal Education geospatial, geography and geodesy and Internet science and
4IR information technologies
Professional Lifelong learning and development Intensive development in new

Training through hands-on experiences and emerging paradigms
Collaborative innovation hubs that

Capacity development leading to stimulate growth in interconnected
Entrepreneurship
innovation and new business ventures products, value chains and business
models
Figure 14. Capacity and Education Strategic Pathway – the Step Change
Capacity development is crucial to bridging the digital In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to a new
divide, and immersive ‘hands-on’ learning programs will geospatial information ecosystem, capacity and
‘best’ contribute to ongoing workforce development education will see a shift in focus (Figure 14):
and staff retention. In the short term, the emphasis
• Awareness: From advocacy and promotion
on capacity development still needs to focus on the
on the value of geospatial information; to
modernization of data resources, the implementation
education and outreach on the potential of
of sharing technologies and policy and governance
disruptive innovations using integrated data.
– all of which underpin SoS implementations and
participation in the future Geoverse. • Formal Education: From deep subject
expertise in surveying, geospatial, geography
Virtual ‘professional development’ environments will play
and geodesy; to foundational concepts in
a complementary role to on-the-job training; providing
computer and Internet science and 4IR
a broader global reach for academic institutions and
information technologies.
networks to collaborate and deliver one-on-one or
group training in foundational concepts in computer and • Professional Training: From lifelong learning
Internet science and 4IR information technologies. and development through hands-on
This will be important to upskilling tomorrow’s workforce. experiences; to intensive development in new
and emerging paradigms.
Consumers of ‘knowledge services’ are expected to be
the winners in the new paradigm. Non-GIS professionals • Entrepreneurship: From capacity
will be able to speak their questions in normal development leading to innovation and new
conversational language to receive answers to complex business ventures; to collaborative innovation
questions; with AI (natural language processing and hubs that stimulate growth in interconnected
machine learning) operating in the background analyzing products, value chains and business models.
data and delivering answers; a process that would

otherwise require human GIS operators.
Will automated ‘knowledge services’ mean the end of

the geospatial professional? No. Knowledge services
are simply a new interface with which we can use maps,
charts, text, graphics etc., to convey visualizations of data
in the context of the individuals’ specific requirements.
Nonetheless, to remain relevant in the longer term,
geospatial scientists, professionals and practitioners
will need to adapt their skills to the new paradigm.
This includes being able to tap into the growing network
of interconnected devices to access more data about
the real world and being able to develop knowledge
representations of the real world so that machines can
do the heavy lifting in terms of locating, analyzing and
processing Big Data.
Communication
and Engagement
This strategic pathway recognizes that stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications
are essential to successfully deliver integrated geospatial information management
arrangements nationally and sub-nationally, and crucial to delivering the future geospatial
ecosystem.
While people use geospatial data every day, they are meaningful conversations.
largely unaware of what the term ‘geospatial’ means, and Who wouldn’t want to Stakeholder Strategic
and User Messaging and
where it comes from. As a consequence, there is limited be part of an industry Identification Engagement
awareness, in the general community, of the value of creating and managing
geospatial information to society, the economy and the data that contributes to
Communication
environment. the Metaverse? Monitoring
Strategy,
and
Plans and
Evaluation
Anecdotally, many geospatial professionals find it As we embark on another Methods
difficult to explain what they do; focusing on the evolutionary phase in our
technology that is often difficult to comprehend. geospatial information
This lack of understanding and recognition is principally management journey towards infinite possibilities, brand
due to limited brand awareness, lack of common awareness and key messaging will be crucial to:
messaging on benefits, and the inconsistent use of
• Influencing policy makers and investors to make
terminology in our field. As an industry, we use different
‘change’ viable.
definitions for the terms like infrastructure, ecosystem,
blueprint, framework and systems – creating confusion • Establishing collaborative partnerships to make
for professionals and policy makers alike; and the terms ‘change’ happen.
spatial, cartography, mapping, GIS and geospatial • Building stakeholder cooperation to stimulate and
are used interchangeably – creating confusion for the sustain the ‘change’ journey.
lay person.
• Broadening engagement to gather a diversity of
This communication challenge is compounded by views.
the fact that University courses in geospatial science,
• Being more inclusive of targeted audiences by varying
around the world, have different names (cartography,
language and communication styles.
geomatics, geoinformation, spatial science etc.). This
confusion is one of the contributing factors leading to • Attracting and retaining a skilled and engaged
few secondary school graduates opting for a career in workforce to deliver the ‘change’ needed.
geospatial. The other factor impacting career choice, is • Creating a geospatial identity that attracts investment.
that the terms ‘infrastructure and ecosystem’ are less
Key messages for the future global geospatially
appealing when compared to modern terms like the
connected digital world will not only need to include
‘Metaverse’ that grabs attention generates impactful and
conversations on the ‘Why’ in the national context, but In summary, as we move beyond SDIs to
also on ‘How’ we can achieve this new future as a global a new geospatial information ecosystem,
geospatial community. communication and engagement will see a shift
in focus (Figure 15):
This new and exciting ‘knowledge on-demand’ value
proposition effects everybody. It has the potential to • Stakeholder and User Engagement:
revolutionize, in every single sense, the way we live, From a narrow focus on government user
learn and look after our planet; constantly alerting us to engagement; to broad spectrum, diverse and
shared challenges, such as building disaster resilience, inclusive engagement.
so that everyone can play a part.
• Strategic Messaging: From having limited
Now is an opportune time to take stock of who we are brand awareness, complicated messaging
and what we represent. Clear messaging needs to start and inconsistent terminology; to a unified
at career exhibitions and also reach the political level. brand and terminology, and clear messaging
Our messages need to spark conversations - “Welcome to that sparks conversations and imagination.
the Geoverse – a digitally connected geospatial world that
• Communication Strategy, Plans and
supports humanitarian and sustainable development.”
Methods: From project and program focused
At the moment “surveying and geospatial science, and
communications; to strategic, targeted and
spatial data infrastructures” are a hard sell.
impactful communications that keep pace
with changing times.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: From surveys

and metrics on effectiveness and efficiency of
communications; to knowledge analytics and
Community and Engagement metrics on participation rates, understanding

and change in usage.
Stakeholder and Narrow focus on government user

Broad spectrum, diverse and inclusive
User Engagement engagement
Limited brand awareness, Unified brand and terminology, and

Strategic Messaging complicated messaging and clear messaging that sparks
inconsistent terminology conversations and imagination
Communication Strategic, targeted and impactful

Strategy, Plans and Project and program focussed communications that keep pace with
Methods communications changing times
Knowledge analytics and metrics on

Monitoring and Surveys and metrics on effectiveness
participation rates, understanding
Evaluation and efficiency of communications
and change in usage
Figure 15. Communication and Engagement Strategic Pathway – the Step Change
Conclusion
This discussion paper explores the geospatial landscape using the IGIF as a critical thinking tool
to examine the SDI construct and look proactively towards the future geospatial information
ecosystem.
The discussion has aimed to assist Member States community. Key IGIF actions at the global leadership
and national geospatial information agencies in their level call for:
thinking on future geospatial environments in which
• Governance: A Global Geospatial Knowledge
technological developments will play a crucial role.
Governance Framework to guide how data is to be
In terms of design, it is becoming clearer that the future created, managed and processed to ‘democratize
geospatial information ecosystem will: knowledge’ in the interest of individuals’ needs,
good governance, developmental interests, and
• Interface with a much larger digital ecosystem;
humanitarian and global crisis management.
• Be made up of three elements - SDIs, SoS and the
• Policy and Legal: A coordinated and coherent
Geoverse;
Geospatial Policy and Legal Framework to guide and
• Be larger than the Metaverse, but will play a key role globally stimulate technical innovation and achieve
in contributing 3D models of reality to the Metaverse; democratization of knowledge; balanced with public
and confidence in how information is used and protected;
• Have a continuing role for SDIs as a registry for and how its reliability is consistently communicated.
brokering access between geospatial information and • Financial: A scoping document on 4IR new business
knowledge services. models with a view to supporting developing countries.
In addition, while the IGIF distinguishes nine strategic • Data: A Global Use Case Framework to identify,
pathways of thought, there are several threads common prioritize and specify data collection, quality
to all pathways that countries can undertake now to improvements, geoanalytics, and the policies and
start the transition process, including the need to: standards needed to transform data inputs into
• Strengthen integrated geospatial information knowledge outputs.
management nationally as a pre-requisite for • Innovation: A Road Map of knowledge-sharing
transitioning to the future geospatial information interventions that deliver inclusivity and digital equity
ecosystem; for communities.
• Broaden stakeholder engagement to consider • Standards: Knowledge representation standards -
diversity of views and needs; vocabularies, ontologies, FAIR and sematic web etc.
• Make geospatial data available in a machine-readable • Partnership: Guidance for establishing partnerships
form to stimulate innovation in knowledge creation in a decentralized multimodal digital ecosystem
straightaway; and founded on AI, block chain, Internet communication
• Share knowledge representations, rule bases and interfaces and other 4IR technologies.
geoanalytics to support reuse and local to global • Capacity and Education: A new ‘workforce ready’
adoption. skills development framework including foundational
There is also need for high-level guidance to assist concepts in computer and Internet science and 4IR
countries to plan for the future and guide the transition technologies.
towards the Geoverse. Change will not happen without • Communication and Engagement: A common
the leadership and vision of the entire geospatial brand, uniform terminology and consistent
messaging to spark conversations.
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Terms
Fourth Industrial Revolution - characterized by Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, advanced robotics,
4IR automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering, quantum computing, smart technologies,
digital disruption and more.
Artificial Intelligence - the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that
AI
are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment.
Application Programming Interface - a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with
API
each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
Extremely large data sets that may be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and
BIG data
associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions.
A shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in
Blockchain
a business network.
Blueprint A blueprint is a guide for making something — it’s a design or pattern that can be followed.
Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information - an Australian Government Research Initiative
CRCSI created by an unincorporated joint venture of industry partners which commenced operation in July
2003.
Digital Rights Management - the management of legal access to digital content. Various tools or
DRM technological protection measures such as access control technologies can restrict the use of
proprietary hardware and copyrighted works.
An environment of something consisting of component parts that interact with one another and with
Ecosystem
the physical environment.
Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable - The FAIR principles emphasize machine-actionability
(i.e., the capacity of computational systems to find, access, interoperate, and reuse data with no or
FAIR
minimal human intervention) because humans increasingly rely on computational support to deal with
data as a result of the increase in volume, complexity, and creation speed of data.
A basic conceptional structure of ideas, conditions and assumptions intended to serve as a guide to
Framework
how something will be approached, perceived, built and understood.
An emerging science in which big data technology extracts meaning, patterns, and insights from
Geoanalytics
complex geospatial datasets.
A globally interconnected geospatial information ecosystem that includes 2, 3 and 4D visualizations,
predictive analytics, real time knowledge in all its forms, and a wide range of integrated and
interoperable data from across various sectors and disciplines. The Geoverse permits intelligent
Geoverse interactions between SDI web portals, systems, sensors, applications, devices and other things; using
a broad range of communication interfaces and machine facilitated technologies such as AI, Machine
Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), data mining, virtual assistants, digital identities,
blockchain etc.
A Geographic Information System is, a system for storing, manipulating and geographical information
GIS
on computer.
Integrated Geospatial Information Framework is a basis and guide for developing, integrating,
IGIF
strengthening and maximizing geospatial information management and related resources
International Hydrographic Organization - coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices
IHO
and sets standards in order to promote uniformity in nautical charts and documents.
Internet of Things – describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) with sensors, processing
IoT ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and
systems over the Internet or other communications networks.
The physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of something in a
Infrastructure
country, state, or region.
International Organization for Standardization - a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes
ISO standards of virtually every possible sort, ranging from standards for information technology to fluid
dynamics and nuclear energy.
Linked Data Structured data that is interlinked with other data, such that it can be read by semantic queries.
A network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection where users interact with each other in
Metaverse
real time.
Machine Learning – a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that allows software applications to become
ML more accurate at predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning
algorithms use historical data as input to predict new output values.
Natural Language Processing - a subfield of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence
NLP concerned with the interactions between computers and human language, in particular how to
program computers to process and analyze large amounts of natural language data.
Open Geospatial Consortium - a worldwide community committed to improving access to geospatial,
or location information. The organization represents over 500 businesses, government agencies,
OGC
research organizations, and universities united with a desire to make location information FAIR –
Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
In the context of geospatial information, ontologies provide a formalized representation of geographic
Ontology
entities and relationships between them in a manner understandable to machines.
Spatial Data Infrastructure provides a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation, and application
SDI for users and providers within all levels of government, the commercial sector, the non-profit sector,
academia and by citizens in general (Nebert, 2003).
Sustainable Development Goals - 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United
SDG’s Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by
2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
System-of-Systems - the interaction of individual systems dedicated to solve something that is typically
SoS
a specific complex problem/s.
Call for submissons
UN-GGIM Secretariat invites your comments on this discussion document. Your feedback will help the
geospatial community to make informed decisions on what the future geospatial information ecosystem
will look like, and how we can achieve the transition to this new future.
Please let us know:
• Are we moving in the right direction?
• What do you think the main challenges will be?
• What are we doing now that works well and will contribute to the future?
• What is the best thing we can achieve moving forward?
• What will be the most valuable outcome for you?
Submissions can be made via email to the UN-GGIM Secretariat (ggim@un.org) with the subject ‘Determining
the future geospatial information ecosystem’. Contributions are welcome from all interested member states,
organisations and individuals. The closing date for submissions is 31 October 2022.
We look forward to your contribution.
UN-GGIM Secretariat
July 2022

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Future Geospatial

Why do we need to move beyond SDIs? 8

The Future Geospatial Information Ecosystem 10

What do we mean by Knowledge? 13

What are the Drivers for Change? 15

Driver 1: Unified Solutions to Global Challenges 15

Driver 2: Affordable and Equitable Access to Knowledge On-demand 16

Driver 3: Bridge the Geospatial Digital Divide 16

Making the Step Change 17

Governance and Institutions 18

Policy and legal 21

Capacity and Education 39

Communication and Engagement 42

Call for Submissions 50

Global Digital Global Digital

Knowledge – the aspirational goal

Able to put information

Data that is ﬁltered

and analysed so that it

Facts and ﬁgures

The fixed line technologies, organized around the

There is a broad and almost universal view that people’s

The IGIF strategic pathways provide a 360-degree view

Leadership Strategies and plans on geospatial Global interconnectivity to leverage

Institutional Traditional hierarchical SDI Agile non-hierarchical inclusive

Value Proposition Access to fundamental data Aﬀordable and equitable access

Global Geospatial Knowledge

Figure 7. Governance and Institutions Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

A focus on the democratization of knowledge, as

Policy and Legal

Standalone geospatial policies and Geospatial policies and laws interoperable

Governance and Use of technology to enforce geospatial

Figure 8. Policy and Legal Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

Creation of geospatial data to support Creation of geospatial analytics to

Investment in machine-readable data, AI,

Economic development and New revenue and cost savings

Figure 9. Financial Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

• Geopolitical asset sharing, in contrast to traditional

National use case frameworks

Automated real time knowledge

Data Supply Chains Centralised bi-directional supply Decentralised multimodal

Figure 10. Data Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges

4IR technologies, Internet, geoanalytics,

Digital transformation, increased Enriched knowledge economies,

Knowledge sharing that delivers

Figure 11. Innovation Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges

proactive, content-exploring, self-learning, collaborative digitization and diversification of data

singularly or in collaboration, to use self-descriptions, computing.

to a situation where geospatial data from different representation methods

A commitment to assess, A commitment to adopt standard

Anticipatory regulations, FAIR data

Regular assessments, training, Regulatory sandboxes, proof of

Inclusive and participatory roles in

Figure 12. Standards Strategic Pathway – the Step Change

Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges

required (EUROGI, 2022). government mandates, performance metrics,

and standards will be necessary to help manage growth standards development.

and change, particularly with the development of new

Regulatory sandboxes will be important to standards

Use of VGI and crowdsourcing to Citizen sensing technologies that lead to

Strategic partnerships that support Collaborations that support both